Method of and apparatus for utilizing explosive energy



2 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

W. VOGEL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING EXPLOSIVE ENERGY.

Patented Dec. 10, 18.89

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

W. VOGEL. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING EXIPLOSIVE ENERGY...

Patented Dec. l0 1889.-

N. versus, mmnhn mr. Washington. 0. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE.

IVILLIAM VOGEL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING EXPLOSIVE ENERGY.

SPECIFICATION forming part ofLetters Patent No. 417,123, dated December 10, 1889., Application filed March 28, 1887. Renewed July 31,1889. Serial No. 319,259. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM VocEL, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of and Apparatus for Utilizing Explosive Energy; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,

clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to a novel method of and means for employing in a useful 1nanner the energy exerted by the explosion of nitro-glycerinc or other explosive compounds as, for instance, for expelling a projectile from a gun or for giving motion to machinery.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described, and pointed out in the appended claims.

The method embraced in myinvention consists in mixing together the ingredients constituting the explosive at the point at which the explosive force of the compound is to be applied and causing the explosion of said compound after the ingredients are mixed. By this process all danger of premature explosion is avoided, and the explosive compound can be safely produced and used in any desired quantity by the employment of suitable mechanical devices for bringing together and mixing the ingredients and for exploding the same after they are mixed.

I have herein shown an apparatus for carrying out the process above described, wherein the explosive force of the compound is employed as a means of storing power for use in operating machinery. Such machine or apparatus also embodies certain novel devices for mixing the ingredients constituting the explosive within an explosion-chamber and for translating the energy produced by the explosion into a form in which it can be conveniently and economically applied as a motor.

In carrying out the process constituting my invention I preferably employ force-pumps for separately conducting into and delivering into an explosion-chamber the liquid ingre dients composing the compound in proper proportions, together with suitable means for mixing the said ingredients and for causing explosion at a desired time. In case the explosion-chamber is the chamber of a gun, the explosive will act directly to expel the projectile therefrom. In case the explosionchamber forms part of amotor, the parts will preferably be so arranged that the expanding gases will act upon a movable plunger or piston connected with devices for compressing air or for otherwise storing the energy exerted by the expansion of the gases occurring at the time of the explosion.

I have herein shown as illustrating my invention a motor of the kind'above referred to, in which the motion of a piston or plunger which is subjected to the action of the explosive is transmitted to a piston which moves in an air-compressing cylinder connected with an air-reservoir, wherein the air compressed by the apparatus is stored for use in an engine adapted to be driven by compressed air.

The construction of theapparatus may be more readily understood by reference to the 7 5 accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a central axial section taken upon a vertical plane of an apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same, taken upon line x of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is another cross-section of the sam e, taken upon line y y of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is still another cross-section, taken upon line .2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail cross-section seinewhat enlarged, taken upon line so a: of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detail section taken upon. line as a; of Fig. 5.

As shown in the said drawings, A A are massive metal blocks, each of which is provided with a central cylindric chamber a, and 0 within which the explosion of the nitro-glycerine or other compound takes place, the said blocks A A being generallysimilar to the breech of a cannon, and being preferably made of steel or other metal used in the man- 5 ufacture of cannon, and of suflicient strength to withstand the force of the explosions taking place within them. The chambered blocks A A are arranged with the cylindric chain bers a a in alignment with each other, and said blocks are strongly attached together, the means of attachment herein shown consisting of heavy flanges a a, placed and secured together by strong bolts or otherwise. In the ends of the said blocks A A which are adjacent to each otherare formed two cylindric recesses considerably larger than the chambers a a and communicating with the latter, said recesses together forming a single cylindric chamber B.

O C are two solid pistons or plunger-s fitted to slide within the chambers a a and rigidly attached at their outer ends to each other and to a single piston O, which fits the cylinder B, said piston Obeing, as herein shown, attached to or formed upon the said plunge'rs C O.

The cylinder 13 and piston C constitute the ai1=pumping device of an air-compressing machine, said cylinder being provided at its opposite ends with valved air-inlet openings 1) Z; and exit-openings b b, the construction of which/will. be hereinafter more fully set fort-hi The chambers a a are provided at theirinner ends with depressions or shallow basins a a adapted to receive the ingredients composing the explosive.

D D are small apertures or passages leading from the inner ends of the chambers outwardly through the blocks A A and com municating at their outer ends with two small force-pumps E E.

Theforce-pump E is connected by means of a' pipe c with a tank or receptacle E containing one of the fluid constituents of the explosiveas, for instance, in the case of a nitro-glycerine compound it will contain an admixture of nitric andsulph uric acid. The pump E is similarly connected by pipes c" with a tank E containing another ingredient, which in the instance mentioned will be glyceri'ne. The pumps E E may be actuated by any desired or preferred form of driving mechanism in such manner as to deliver to the basins a a at the same moment of time definite quantities of the fluids from the tanks nto which they are connected. The fluids may be delivered to the explosionchamber in the proper proportions for producing the explosive either by making the pumps of different sizes or by so construct ing the driving devices that the pump-pistons will be given longer or shorter strokes, as necessary forthe purpose.

I have herein illustrated one of the many devices'by which the stroke of the piston of each pump may be exactly regulated, so that the relative quantity of fluid delivered by the two pumps may be changed as may be necessary for the purpose of exact adjustment or for delivering different quantities of the ingredients in case a change in the relative proportions of the same is required. Said device is in the nature of a link-motion-s1:ich as 'is used for actuating steam-engine valvesand comprises a revolving driving-shaft F, provided with two eccentrics f f. Two eccentrio-rods F F are connected at their ends with a slotted bar or link F with which the piston-rod e of the pumplhas sliding connection. For moving the link F the latter may be conveniently connected with a hand-lever F herein shown as provided with a springdetent engaging a notched segment F whereby the link may be placed and held in position to cause the delivery of a desired quantity of fluid at each stroke of the pu nip-piston, which quantity may be conveniently indicated by a scale marked upon the segment F. In the particular construction illustrated the lever F is shown as connected with the link F by means of two connecting-rods)" f and an interposed bell-crank lever f The same driving-gear described will be applied to each of the four pumps HE E belonging to the apparatus.

. As a convenient means for formingthe passages D D, leading from the pumpsE-E. to the explosion chambers a, said passages are formed in two separate metal bars D, D Figs. 1, 4, 5, and 6, said bars belonging ,to

each block F'being fitted in a single recess a leading inwardly through the side of the block A to and past the rear wall of the chamber a. When the parts D D are in place, they completely fill the opening a and form the end wallof the said chamber a, said bars being extended past the said end wall in the manner shown, so that the pressure caused by the explosion will come sidewise upon the bars, and thereby tendto press them against the opposing solid metal of the block, instead of being extended endwise thereon in amans ner to tend to force the said bars outwardly from their places.

In the particular construction herein .shown the bars D D are made of such shape that when placed together their inner and outer surfaces are semi-cylindric, as clearly shown 7 in Fig. 5, the bars being made of this shape in order that they may correspond with the circular form preferably given to the recept-acle c at the inner end of the explosion chamber. To cause the fluid ingredients delivered through the passages D'D to flowdownwardly into and impinge against the bottom of the recess a, the said passages D D are preferably down'wardlyinclined at their part adjacent to the point of exit of the fluids,,as clearly indicated in Fig. 6. To prevent corrosion of the metal of the part within which the passage. D or D, carrying the acid, is

formed, said passage will preferably be lined with a non-metallic substance-such, for instance, as a vitrified coating of or containing silica or glass.

The fluid ingredients forced or delivered into the bottom of the chamber a by the action of the pumps and passages in the manner described will be mixed to a greater or less extent, and probably to such an extent that the compound will be in condition to explode upon the application of fire thereto or by a concussive action. I have, however,

herein shown a device for mixing the ingredients and at the same time igniting the same, comprising means for causing to impinge obliquely upon them a series of airjets, together with means for bringing a flame into contact with the explosive for the purpose of igniting the same. For these purposes the apparatus shown is constructed as follows: G is a small air-inlet opening or passage extending through the metal block A into the explosion-chamber a, and provided with a series of branch passages g g g, which enter the basin or recess a at a downward inclination and tangentially with reference to the cylindrie walls of said recess in such manner that the jets of air forced through said branch passages will operate with a rot-ative action upon the fluid delivered to the said recess a A suitable air-current is induced through the passages G g g at the proper timenan1ely, after the fluid ingredients have been forced into the said recess a by the action of the pump by means of an air-passage G, extending outwardly from the chamber a and communicating with an air pump or cylinder G whereby the air may be forcibly exhausted through said passage G and an inflow of air through the passages G g thereby produced. Any suit-able actuating devices may be applied to actuate the air-pump G? at the proper time to produce the result stated, the illustration of any special devices for this purpose being thought unnecessary.

For the purpose of igniting the explosive at the moment it is mixed I preferably place a lamp or other means giving a flame opposite the outer end of the passage G, as indicated, for'instance, at G', so that as the air is drawn forcibly into the chambera for mixing the ingredients in the manner described the flame will be drawn through the said passage and will impinge upon and ignite the explosive. The use of an igniting-flame is not, however, essential, inasmuch as the powerful explosives such as nitro-glycerine can be exploded by percussive actionsuch, for instance, as would be afforded by the contact of one of the plungers G C in the machine shown with an opposing surface of the recess a as said plunger is thrown forcibly inward by the explosion in the opposite cylinder.

When the device is provided with separate metal bars D D, containing the inlet-passages tor the fluid ingredients of the explosive, as' herein shown and above described, the branch passages g g are perfectly formed within the said bars D D as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the said passages g g being bored obliquely through the bars and arranged to enter a recess or groove g, extending around the outer curved surfaces of the bars, so as to form when the bars are in place a semicircular passage communicating with all of said branches g g, and also with the main passage G, whichin this case is bored through the metal block in such position as to come opposite the said curve 9 atits inner ends.

0 O are passages leadingfrom the recesses or explosion-chambers (L a outwardly to the open air, said passages O 0 being arranged to communicate with the said recessesa a near their ends remote from the point at which the ingredientsare delivered, so thatthey are covered by the plungers 0 0, except when the latter are at the extreme limit of their outward movement. The purpose of such passages O O is to enablethe gases generated bythe ex? plosion to promptly escape from the recesses a aat the moment that the plungers have reached the outward limit of their movement. In the particular construction illustrated the passages O O are connected by means of tubes 0 0 with annular tubes or pipes O 0, surrounding the apparatus, the said pipes O 0 being connected by fines O O with a main exit-duct 0 which conveys the smoke and gases resulting from the explosions to the open air at apoint at which their presence will be unobjectionable.

In the operation of the apparatus described the devices actuating the fluid delivering and mixing devices are so arranged that the delivery of the ingredients to the chambers and their explosion therein take place-in alterna tion in the two chambers, so that the plungers O O and the air-piston C are thrown altern ately backward and forward. Each plunger 0 is thus returned into position for another explosion by the action of the explosive in the opposite explosion chamber upon the opposite plunger, and the action of the apparatus will thus be automatic and continuous as long as the fluid ingredients are injected, mixed, and exploded first in one and then the other explosion-chamber in the manner before stated. Inasmuch as the aircylinder B is provided with air inlet and exit openings at both ends, the piston O willact to draw inwardly, therefore, into the storage A, notwithstanding the heat generated by explosions therein, and for other purposes, as will hereinafter appear.

H H in the drawings indicate strong iron cylinders placed around the metal blocks A A and provided with heads H II, which are shown asextending outside of t and covering said blocks A A, said cylinders being united atthe middle of the apparatus by flanges 7L h. The cylinders 11 H are somewhat longer,

than the blocks A A, so as to form annular TlO spaces or chambers I I, surrounding said blocks A A, as clearly-shown in the drawings, Fig. 1.

J J areother strong metal cylinders like the cylinders II II and surroumlingthe latter, with spaces between them,formin g cha1nbers K. Said cylinders J J are provided with closed heads J J, extending outside of the heads 11' of the cylinders H. Between the cylinders H and the blocks A A are preferably placed a series of heavy metal rings H H and between the cylinder H and the cylinder .I are placed similar heavy rings J J said rings H and J 2 serving to hold the said cylinders concentric with the inner metal blocks A A, at the same time operating to re-enforce the said metal blocks and to form braces or con nections between the said cylinders H and J and the central block, so that said cylinders also serve to re-enforce the blocks. The said rings H and J are perforated or apertured, as shown, so as to give free communication betvgeen the parts of the chambers I I and K K. The air-inlet openings b b are herein shown as consisting of spherical balls resting in conical seats. Theinlet-openings of the said valves Z) communicate with the spaces or chambers I I, so that the air drawn into the said air-cylinder B is taken from said chambers, which latter may communicate with each other, as shown, or may be otherwise arranged, as found convenient or desirable. Inlet-pipes I I lead through the chambers K K into the chambers I I for supplying air to the latter. Said pipes I are connected with a tank 1 which contains liquid ammonia, and from which a quantity of ammonia in its gaseous form is taken and drawn into the space or chambers I I at each movement of the piston of the air-pump B. The ammonia-tank I is closed and is provided with an-inlet-opening j, having a springvalve 6', which remains normally closed, and which is only opened to admit the influx of air when the pressure within the tank is reduced sufficiently by the action of the pump to cause the pressure of the outside air to open and enter the valve '11. By this construe tion a partial vacuum is formed within the ammonia-tank at each reciprocation of the pump-piston, whereby the ammonia is caused to rapidly expand and thus produce a low temperature in the spaces surrounding the blocks A A in a manner heretofore common in machines for producing artificial cold.

The annular spaces or chambers K K be tween the cylinders H and J are desirably utilized as a storage-chamber for compressed air, and for this purpose the air-exit passages b b of the air-chamber B are arranged to open directly into said spaces K K. Said spaces K K, as herein shown, communicate with each other at the middle of the machine; but they may, if preferred, be made separate from each other. In the particular construction illustrated the air-openings b are c011- nected with the chamberK by means of tubular castings B, within which castings are formed conical seats for valves 12 Said Valves are provided with stems 11 which are acted on by springs 11 located in tubular castings B B which are bolted to the surface of the outer shell or cylinder J. Each chamber K is, as shown, connected by a pipe with the air-chamber L, in which the air is stored under pressure, and which may be conducted by suitable pipe or pipes to an adjacent engine or motor or to one located at a distance, it being entirely obvious that the compressed air may be employed for supplying from a central station or plant a number of independent motors located at points at a greater or less distance therefrom. I have shown a pipe L as leading from the storagechamber to the cylinder M, belonging to a motor using compressed air. The air delivered to the chamber L will of course carry with it the ammonia taken from the tank 1 and this ammonia will preferably, for economic reasons, be collected by passing the compressed air through water, either before or after the air is used in the motor. I have herein shown a tank N as connected with the exhaust-pipe M and the cylinder M of the motor as employed for this purpose.

I consider the process or method of employing high explosives which consists in bringing the ingredients thereof together at the point of explosion and there exploding the mixture to be new, and such process or method is'herein broadly claimed, as is also a device or apparatus containing the parts necessary to the carrying out of said process or method. Claims are also herein made covering the air-compressing devices as a means of storing the energy produced by the explosion and various details of construction in the particular apparatus illustrated.

I claim as my invention 1. An apparatus for employing fluid explosive compounds, comprising two or more separate ducts or passages for delivering at the point of explosion separately from each other two or more of the fluid ingredients of the compound, a stirring device acting upon the ingredients within the chamber for mixing or commingling the same, and means for exploding the compound, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with an explosionchamber, as of a gun or motor, of two ormore ducts or passages delivering to said chamber separately from each other two or more of the. lngredients of a fluid explosive compound, a

stirring device acting upon the said ingredients within the chamber for mixing or commingling the same, and means for exploding the mixture, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with an explosionchamber and two or more separate ducts or passages discharging into said chamber, of two or more pumps connected with said passages, wherebythe fluid ingredients of an ex- IIO plosive compound may be delivered to the explosion-chamber in two or more separate parts, a stirring device acting upon said ingredients within the chamber for mixing or commingling the same, and means for exploding the compound,substantiallyas de :ribed.

4. The combination, with an explosionchamber and two or more ducts or passages communicating therewith, of pumps connected with said ducts or passages, means for varying the quantity of fluid delivered by each pump, whereby the fluids may be introduced into the explosion-chamber in desired proportions, stirring devices acting upon the ingredients within the chamber for mixing the same, and means for exploding the mixture, substantially as described.

5. The combine tion, with an explosionchamber, of ducts or passages and forcing devices for delivering to said chamber separately from each other two or more of the ingredients of an explosive compound, and stirring devices for mixing the said ingredients,

consisting of air-ducts leadinginto the chamher, and means for producing a forcible influx of air therethrough, substantially as de scribed.

6. The combination, with an explosionchainber provided with a recess or basin in its bottom wall, of ducts or passages delivering the ingredients of an explosive compound to said basin, an air duct or ducts leading to said basin and discharging obliquely or tangentially therein, and an air-forcing device producing a forcible influx of air through said duct or ducts, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with an explosionchamber and receptacle therein for the illgredients of an explosive compound and means for delivering the ingredients of the said explosive compound to said receptacle, of an-air duct or ducts leading into the said chamber and discharging into said receptacle,

an exit-duct communicating with the chamber, and means for exhausting air from the chamber through the said duct, whereby a jet or jets of air maybe caused to impinge upon the ingredients within the receptacle for the purpose of mixing the same, substantially as described.

8. The combination, with an explosionchamber formed in or by a recessed metal block A, of ducts or passages 1) I) for fluids, formed in separate metal bars I) D inserted in a recess a formed in said block, substan tially as described.

9. The combination, with a metal block A, having a recess a, forming an explosion-chamber, and provided with a recess d of the metal bars D D fitted in said recess a and extending past the inner end of the exp10- sion-ehamber, said bars D D being provided with passages I) I), opening into said explosion-chamber, substantially as described.

10. The combination, with a metal block A, having a recess Ct, forming an explosion-chamher, and provided with a recess a extending outwardly from the recess a, and with an airpassage G, of bars D D, inserted in the recess a said bars being provided with passages g g, opening into the recess a and communicating with the passage G, substantially as described.

11. The combination, with an explosionchamber, of an elongated cylindric piston or plunger sliding therein, ducts or passages and pumps for delivering into said chamber separately fromeach other the ingredients of a fluid explosive compound, stirring devices acting upon the ingredients within the chamber for mixing the same, and means for exploding the compound, said chamber being provided witlian exit-opening for gases, which opening is closed solely by the piston and is opened only when the piston is at or near the for- Ward limit of its movemei'it, substantially as described.

12. The combination, with an explosionchamber, a piston or plunger sliding therein, and an air-pump actuated by said piston or plunger, of a closed chamber surrounding the explosion-chamber and communicating with the air-inlet opening of the air-pumps, a tank for ammonia, provided with an inlet-opening provided with a valve which is held closed by a spring, and a pipe connecting said tank with the chamber which surrounds the explosion-chamber, substantially as described.

13. The combination, with a metal block A, provided with a recess a, forming an explosion-chamber, of a cylinder II, surrounding said metal block and forming, therewith a chamber I for the circulation of a cooling mixture, and a second cylinder T, extending around the said cylinder K. and forming therewith a chamber for compressed air, substantially as described.

14. The combination, with an explosionchamber, a plunger therein, an air-compressing device actuated by the plunger, an ammonia-tank, a passage connecting the said ammonia-tank with the airinlet opening of the said air-compressing device, a motor in which the compressed air is used, and a watertank into which the exhaust-air from the motor is delivered, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invent-ion I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM. VOGEL.

Witnesses:

O. CLARENCE POOLE, CHARLES T. Loamc.

ICC 

